Changing, Growing, Moving On, I Don't Know

Image From Free Digital Photos

Hey all, how have you been? I know I've promised a couple posts to you, and they are still coming, just I've been doing a lot of thinking, organizing, and changing and I just didn't want to post anything until I really knew what I wanted to do. I am still sorting it all out in my head, but I do have some ideas in mind, and I want to get them down so I don't forget a potentially good idea.

So ever since "the breakup", I have been realizing that my life was so hitched up on one person and I totally forgot who I was and wanted to be. I don't feel ashamed of that, especially since I see a lot of people do that in life, but I am frustrated by it because it took me off my own path in life and now I am suffering to find my way back. I keep "walking" by other people's paths, and I tend to pause and wonder if that's a path I should go down or if that is my actual path in life, but then I see that's not my path and keep pushing forward.

In going forward, I realize that the doll hobby is where I want to stay, at least for now, and I want to expand on it by becoming a toy creator at some point. Actually I have a small list of things I want to do in life. I want to become a writer, but since most writers can't live off their writing income, I want to also continue with my interest in dolls and toys. So a writing toy creator? LOL! At some point in life I'd also like to create some apps, but that would be more of a hobby that I'll see if I can make money off of. I would like to look more into creating toys, perhaps focusing on making 3D print out patterns for toys that owners of 3D printers can buy and printout. However, much like all new technology, it'll be awhile before 3D printers become a common household item, so I will also focus on getting dolls and toys made the conventional, or old-fashioned, way.

I'm sure I will have to go back to school to make some of this happen, and I am trying to decide what school, when I should go, what curriculum I will need to take, and really what direction I want to go in. I would prefer learning on my own and not having to go back to school honestly, and I am sure that is possible, so I will look into that as well. I just would rather learn things in my own time frame rather than spread across four years, taking a lot of classes I won't really need.

However, as I return to the hobby and try to learn the wants of hobbyists, I sadly see a lot of the older hobbyists leaving the hobby for new hobbies, preferring to enjoy the hobby in private, or putting their hobby away because of life changes. It's super sad to see so many blogs, Youtube channels, and forums become ghost towns because people have changed, grown into a new direction, and moved on to something new. Granted that's also a good thing, we should always continue to grow and change in life so I wish good luck to those people, but it makes a long-time hobbyist, like myself, feel a little lonely. Don't get me wrong, I know this encourages me to make new hobby friends while trying to reconnect with those older hobbyists still hanging around, but it still is sad to see some of the greats say their farewells, or worse yet, just fade off into the distance without so much as a wave good-bye.

So in figuring this out, it makes me wonder, how do I keep up with the constantly changing "target market" I'd like to eventually sell and talk too? I know, everyone trying to sell items have to deal with this, along with other issues in their industry, like the bullying in the doll hobby scaring off people from the hobby, so I guess I will just have to think of how to stay current.

In the past year alone I've already found my interests in the hobby changing yet again. *sigh* So I was all into 1/6th when I got into the hobby, then I got interested in bjds while still greatly loving 1/6th. Then I found myself switching over to 1/6th completely for some reason. I liked the dolls, but I think I also saw them as more acceptable of a hobby to "the ex" because they weren't "toys", they were collector's items, and he could accept that more. However I still had all my 1/6th stuff collecting dust, getting old and brittle, turning yellow with age. Now I am finding that while I do like bjds, I prefer them tiny. The tallest I would probably really like is an MSD and even they are a bit big for me. I like the fashion doll size bjds, and if I ever follow through on my plans to make my own bjds one day, they will be fashion doll size. I just like their size, I like how clothing for them tends to be super easy to find as well as shoes sometimes, and I just love things in mini form. So it finally hit me, I just love 1/6th and smaller scale items. So I finally decided to return to my roots and enjoy 1/6th again. Yay!!!

But in returning to 1/6th and starting to organize my life online and off, I realize that a lot of people I follow no longer are of my interest. So I am sadly unfollowing a lot of people so I can actually interact with people with the same smaller scale mindset. It sucks so much to change what you find interesting, because you have to let go of certain things in order to enjoy it, at least that is what I am finding. But I am glad to finally have some direction in life now. It's one step on the long way back. I think I finally found my path, and though I've only gone a little ways up it, I think it's going to lead me where I need to be headed. I'll never let anyone or anything stray me from it again. I don't mind if someone's path goes parallel to mine, just a long as they don't ask me to ditch mine and jump onto their path, because their is no fun in that, trust me. Always be true to yourself my lovelies, and always be the captain of your own ship, your life will turn out so much better that way. I look at it this way, you and someone else can be going on your individual paths and you can still hold hands, talk, bond etc., without giving up yours. Yes, it took me a long time to learn this, and no, I will never forget it.

So, what's next? Well I still have those posts to share with you about my mom's dolls, a doll I am trying to customize, and some 1/6th projects I have been working on for years and never finished. I have a Youtube channel in the works for doll related stuff, and of course I need to update this blog, my Tumblr, just a lot of updating. Oh...and there is still the issue of the Christmas presents I am suppose to be working on. I am going to try to do that while doing Nanowrimo next month. :-D What? I work better under pressure anyway. *insert uneasy laugh here*

And can I take a moment to tell you all a boneheaded thing about myself. So I am on a laptop, and I accidentally made my screen zoom out. When that happened before, I would freak out not knowing how to fix it until I learned about "ctrl+ or ctrl-" will adjust the screen, then I came across the instructions for a previous old laptop that explained that if you take your fingers and push them away or towards each other on the touchpad it will adjust the screen again. You have no idea how shocked, excited, and dumb I felt when I tried this for the first time. *sigh + eye roll* Well hey, we need to keep on learning, and I accept that as lesson learned. I no longer freak out when it happens, and it makes me feel super techy when I do it. So there's that. LOL! Just had to share that with you all.

And on that note I will let you all go for now. I must return to organizing and sorting. I want to have it done by November 1st. I still have a lot to do. My Tumblr alone is going to kill me. thousands of posts that need to be tagged, sorted, some deleted, and so much more. I almost want to kill it and start over, but I don't want to lose my followers there, much like the reason I won't delete this blog because it's got posts of "the ex" in it, I don't want to lose you guys. So I shall push forward, clean it up as best I can, and keep on keeping on. Things will get better, and I'll feel like myself once I am organized and ready to jump back into the hobby. Just wish I hadn't let it go in the first place. Oh well, could've, should've, would've, but didn't. Suck it up and move on. ;-) I'll be back with another post soon lovelies. Until then, take care, bye for now. :-)

Don't Take Your Dreams To The Grave

Image From Free Digital Photos

Ugh, I am hating how doom and gloom my blog has been sounding lately. It's almost to the point where I don't want to blog because I am sounding so dark, but this post really isn't meant to be dark, more motivating. I hope it comes off that way.

So in the past couple of months, on both Deviantart and Youtube, people I have been following passed away. One person I am not sure how he died but he took beautiful pictures, and a woman on who did these amazing DIY fashion videos was murdered by her ex while she slept. Both of these stories were so tragic, but all of their followers agreed on one thing, that we were glad we got to know them some and that they got to share their goals and dreams with us.

All this got me thinking about goals and dreams. We've got plenty of them. I'm sure you could make a list of them. However, how many of us reach for and achieve our dreams, or at least try? I want to become an author some day as well as a toy designer of some sort. I want to strive to make that happen sooner rather than later, but up to this point I've really done nothing to make that happen. No one is promised any length of time on this planet, From newborns to 100 year old people, we are all granted with the same amount of time each and every day, what we do with that time is up to us. If you aren't working towards your goals and dreams, you may end up taking them to the grave with you, and that would honestly be a such a waste. The world will never know how awesome you are at whatever you master at. If you truly have a life goal, start this moment to go for it. Sure, you may never reach them, but what if you do? What if all the work you put into it pays off. Won't you be glad you started right now rather than a year from now or never? And if you don't reach your goal, don't give up hope, it just means that wasn't the right goal to strive for. Rework it and go at it from another angle or try for a whole new goal, just as long as you are going for it, that is all that matters.

I was really sad to see these talented people were no longer with us, but they have left behind their works of art that I can continue to look at and view and be reminded how awesome they truly were. They left their mark on their world, don't leave the world without making yours. Until next time ladies and gents, take care, bye for now.

Where Do Toys Come From

Forgot one more post I wanted to make. I came across this on Tumblr. It's a project done by Michael Wolf. He took pictures of Chinese toy factory workers holding the very toys they make. I found this so interesting. It kind of gives you a moment's pause. For example, as I sat her tearing Meygana apart, figuratively and literally, I didn't give a second thought to where she came from and who put her together. Most factory workers live in dorms at the factory and barely make enough to feed themselves and their families, and here I am complaining about my "first world problems" because a doll didn't add up to the standards I expected it to be. Just kind of makes me see how "rich" I really am. I may not have the best of health right now, but I have shelter over my head, a bed to sleep in, and I know where my next meal is coming from. It's crazy to think that so many people don't have just those basics. It just reminds me again to be thankful for what I have. Check out all the pictures Michael took and the display he set up for them. I think you will be shocked and amazed at the pictures, and you will no doubt think twice next time you are getting ready to throw your next pity party. I know I will now. I'll talk to you all later. Bye for now.

Feeling thankful,
Michelle

Image (By Michael Wolf) From Imgur

In a Toy State of Mind

Hey all! So while I was surfing around the web tonight, I found myself on a website...that I have no earthly idea how I got there in the first place, that had some interesting articles on it. It's one of those media sites that once you read one you find another interesting related one and before you know it a few hours have passed and you have read some of the most interesting useless knowledge in the world...but i digress.

Now, not trying to get you hooked into a hour long reading frenzy, I did find 4 articles of interest. All related to toys of course. LOL!  Take a look at these interesting articles. Warning, if you don't want to get stuck on this site for an hour or more only read these links I have provided. If you look on the sidebar or at the related links you may never get off the site. You have been warned.

11 Dolls the World Could Have Done Without

8 Seemingly Harmless Toys That Were Yanked Off the Shelf

 

11 Toys You Only Played With at the Doctor’s Office

Why Is Toy Packaging So Difficult to Open

 

 What did I tell you? Interesting, right? Ok, maybe not, but it gave me a giggle. LOL! And I am in shock to see they has a Six doll. My sister had Blossom and Joey. I would have loved a Six doll. I loved her personality. Oh well, maybe some day. ;-) And on that note I am off. I am working on an article for Squidoo and then I need to start my Christmas articles. I think I will so all doll related articles. So expect me to share those here eventually. Talk to you lovely peeps again later on today. I should be able to get my doll's head swapped out today since I feel a little bit better lately. So I hope to have her ready for viewing today. Hope you are all having a great Friday. :-) Bye for now.

Feeling sleepy and cold,
Michelle 

Anatomy Of A Toy

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Every wondered what the inside of your dolls looked like?  Well you might be surprised to find out.  Check out this cool inside look on some popular toys.  I think you will see your dolls and toys in a whole new light afterwards. 

And that’s all for today.  Just wanted to share that fun find.  I will be back again soon with an interesting post.  Be good until next time we meet.  Bye for now.

Loves ya ,
Mouse

Grady the Giraffe

So, anybody got $14.98 just sitting around burning a whole in their pocket?  Now, those of you who said yes, do any of you want to buy me something cool?  Ok, the two of you who said it depends on what it is, would you buy me this awesome giraffe?

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Isn’t Grady awesome?!?  Well to be “PC” his full name is Grady the Giraffe, and I love him.  I mean honestly what’s not to love about it?  I mean first of all, he’s a giraffe.  Second of all, look at that retro vintage replica fabric he’s made out of.  And third of all, did I mention he’s a freaking giraffe?!?  I know right?!?  Wait?  What?  You aren’t that impressed with Grady?  Color not jazzing with you?  No worries.    There’s a Grady for everyone!   Observe.

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So is this orange color more “a-peeling” to you?    Haha!!! Get it?  A-peel…oh you know what, forget it.  Geez, tough crowd.  Moving on.

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Eeyore to overdone for you, but you still want something to help reflect your sad yet colorful emo-ish mood?  Then look no farther than this lovely blue gem right here.  Isn’t he awsesome?  What?  Flowers a bit much for your depressed mood?  Fine then.  I haven’t given up yet.

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Perhaps something more sunny for those you who are mourning the loss of your beloved Summer.  It’s ok guys, only 6 more months and it will warm up again.  You can do it.    Come on, you’ve got to be looking forward to the bitter cold and blizzards some parts of the world are bound to have this Winter.    Humm, no?  *rolls eyes*  Ok, give me one more try guys.  I’ve got one more trick under my sleeve.

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Pink, girlie, cute, and pretty all wrapped into one. What is not to love?  I ask you.  Honestly?  I mean what’s cuter than a guy not afraid to wear pink.  He’s awesome, n'est pas?  Humm, I’m starting to think that perhaps I’m the only one who loves as Grady as much as I love Grady.  I just don’t see why Grady doesn’t have an awesome following.  He’s super cute in all the fabric choices, and has a different personality for each one.  He’s unique almost like…ummm…hummm….Pokémon!  Yeah!  And you simply have to collect them all.  LOL!  Humm, collect them all.  Doesn’t sound half bad.  Hey the two of you from before who said you’d buy me a Grady for $14.98…could we possible make it all of them for $74.90 plus tax and shipping?    Hey, where are you going?!?    I still stand behind what I said before, tough crowd. 

But seriously guys, I just had to make this post to share the awesomeness of Grady.  I think one of the main reasons I like him is because Grady for some reason makes me think of the name Brody, which is one of my dogs’ names.  And Grady seems like this silly big loppy animal kind of like our Brody.  Brody is big and loveable but also has his kind of silly look and way about him.  So I love Grady for that.  The vintage looking fabric also helps, I love the look of vintage fabric and vintage replica or vintage themed fabric.  So this guy is perfect for me…except for the price.  LOL!  15 dollars is a bit to much for me to spend on a stuffed animal, so I will just admire him from afar.  Oh and of course add him to my Pinterest for easy viewing of course.  LOL.

And now I am off my lovelies.  I am going to settle down and watch a movie or two before going to sleep.  My sleep pattern is off again sadly, and I need to work on sorting it back out before I am waking up around 5 p.m. again instead of 10 a.m.  I’ll worry about it tomorrow night.  Tonight it’s movie time.    Talk to you later.  Be good until then.  Bye for now.

Loves ya ,
Mouse

A New Easy Bake Oven???

Hey guys!  So while surfing the web today I found a video that talks about the new Easy Bake Oven.  Now we all know the Easy Bake Oven has changed it’s look several times over the years, but this change is massive.  Why?  Watch the video below to find out.

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Can you believe it?  Ok, quick recap for those who can’t see the video.  So the Easy Bake Oven is basically a kid’s toy where a light bulb heats up small batches of dough that children make and place inside the oven.  The heat is strong enough to bake the dough and create things like bread, cakes, cookies, and with recent ovens things like nachos.  But with the world trying to cut down on resource use, in a few months the bulbs used in the Easy Bake Ovens are being phased out and outlawed due to a law Bush put into action, and so now future Easy Bake Ovens will be bulbless.

This actually makes me so sad. I have and Easy Bake Oven from when I was a little girl.  I had planned to get my future kids a current Easy Bake Oven and also let them use mine, but from what I am understanding mine won’t be able to be used.  That is so sad, but I understand why it has to be.

So what now for the Easy Bake Oven?  Well now there is going to be a heating element put inside of the oven and it will be able to reach a temperature of 375 degrees.  So basically it will go from a cute and simple childhood toy to a slightly more dangerous appliance.  I still plan on getting my future kids an Easy Bake Oven, but now the innocence of it seems to be gone and it seems parents will have to watch just a little closer to make sure little fingers aren’t burned.  However, it seems this toy may be a bigger blast than the originals.  Take a look at this video to see what I mean.

New Easy Bake Oven is better than ever: wpri.com

So a quick recp, it seems not all is sad with the new Easy Bake Oven.  It seems that with the new heating element bake times will be shorter, baked items will be more evenly baked, there are more items that can be made now like pretzels and pizza, and the items baked are all trans fat free.  Now the one downer is that the oven is going to be about 20 dollars more.  But who knows, there might be a good deal on the ovens around Black Friday, Black Monday, or around Christmas in general so keep your eyes open if this is something you hope to pop under the tree at Christmas time for the little ones or yourself.

I hope I do get a chance to share this toy one day with a potential daughter or son, yes I  am in the same boat with Paula Deen in feeling you can share this toy with your son(s) so get out there and get one for them. 

I do wonder what I should do with mine now though.  Keep it for nostalgia?  See how long a weaker bulb takes to bake?  That’s if they will even fit in the thing.  *sigh*  Who knows.  For now it will stay in the closet waiting for that Christmas day my little one opens their Christmas gift and gasps in excitement over their new Easy Bake Oven and wants to bake with mommy. 

And that’s all I wanted to talk about in this post.  I hope you all are having a lovely Friday that will lead into an awesome weekend.  Wait?  What?  It’s already the weekend again?  Wow.  If we blink Christmas will be upon us soon.  Crazy how fast time passes.  When I was a kid it couldn’t pass quickly enough. LOL!  Kind of wish time was that slow again.  Oh well, just means I’ll have to make better use of my time and enjoy every second of it.    Have a great one my lovelies and I will talk to you all again very soon.

Loves ya,
Mouse

Lego And Sad Face

So while hunting the web, Tumblr to be exact, I found and interesting couple of pictures of building patched up with none other than Lego.  It amused me and freaked me out all at the same time.

Pretty cool huh?  Now the reason it freaked me out is because I have a weird issue with things that are put in other things that it doesn’t belong in.  What?  It’s freaky.  Especially the ones that look like little homes.  Ughhh.  It’s just freaky to me.  I’m weird.  Ok let me give you another example.

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Embroidered bread!!!  Don’t you dare say this is cool.  Click on the source link to see more like it.  This was the first thing that really gave me the chills on things that don’t belong together.  It’s just ugh, and I can’t explain it.  Weird, I know.  But then again I’m weird, and proud of it. 

And now to the .  So I went looking through tweets from one of my favorite authors to see if she posted anything from when she went to see Harry Potter, she didn’t, and I saw a few posts above the date I was looking for she talked about how her legs looked like they had pins in them like a doll and she considered herself a human doll.  Then in the post directly after she posted how she thought doll people were creepy.  Sad face.    Jackson Pearce, how can I ever look at you and your work the same way ever again?!?    I know, I know, she just hasn’t caught on to the awesomeness of dolls yet, but it still makes me sad face and sigh.  *sigh*  LOL!  Ok, not really, but when I saw that tweet I was taken back for a second.  What’s with the doll people hate Jackson?  Seriously.  Oh well, I guess we can’t all be rocking.    I’m still a fan Jackson! 

Ok, so this post was basically to show you about the Lego houses.  I thought they were cool.  There was no source for the pictures but I’m sure I could find them.  Oh let me try real quick.  Ok couldn’t find the direct source because, get this, fixing buildings with Legos is a big thing.  Check out my search page. It reminds me of yarn bombing.  That’s pretty cool.  Creativity all around.  Ok so I need to take off now people.  My laptop is about to die and my plug is no where near me. Talk to you lovelies later.  Bye for now. 

Loves ya ,
Mouse

I Don’t Need It…

But it’s so awesome!

Just had to share this.  Having an “up” moment right now so I took the chance to blog real quick.  Now thinking it’s time for bed.  I’m becoming a master of sleep lately.  Here’s hoping it’s not forever.   Bye for now guys and dolls.  I’m off to count. 

Loves ya,
Mouse